Bread Box Makeover

I bought this bread box over a year ago and knew it would come in handy for something. (For some reason I have this thing for containers).

Well, after seeing the makeover from "30 Handmade Days" I knew what I wanted to do.
http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2012/08/upcycled-bread-box/
So I had my handy dandy neighbor, Kraig cut a hole in the back.

I painted the top and sides with brown acrylic paint doing a stain like effect using a rag. The front  was painted with an ivory color. I used an acrylic varnish I had to give the brown a slight sheen.

I went to a really great site to get graphic images called, "The Graphics Fairy"
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2011/04/vintage-clip-art-beautiful-french.html

At first I thought I might print it on tissue and put it on the box like a tattoo, but then I decided that I would print on an ivory colored paper and burn the edges to make it destressed. Be careful when burning by burning only a couple inches at one time, blowing out the flame then doing the next few until you get the desired size and edging. I then "painted" it with coffee to make it look old.

 I got out my trusty Mod Podge and glued the paper to the front of my box and after drying, I put two coats of Mod Podge over the top. Here is the result:

My bathroom has only one outlet and my hubby and I fight over it with my hair dryer that is plugged in (it is a hotel style I found at a sale) and his hair cutter. This is a perfect solution! I put a power strip inside and plugged in my hair dryer along with his cutter.

So practical, yet so pretty! Don't you agree?

Next on the list is a painted granite counter!

 

 





 

IPAD Case

I babysit my grandsons quite a bit. When they come over they bring their Ipad.

 It makes me nervous because they just carry it in just as it is. So I decided they needed an Ipad case to hold and protect it. I started with duct tape and cardboard:

Then I measured the cardboard so to be just a bit larger than the Ipad.

I needed something to give it some padding so I found bubble wrap!

I cut and taped it to the inside of the cardboard.

Then I cut strips and added them to the inside and outside.

Here is the inside view:

I made and taped tabs on each side:

For the handle I used a shoestring and covered it with duct tape:

It needed a closure on top, so I grabbed some velcro and put it on front

Had I decided on a closure ahead of time I would have put on the back strap before I covered the cardboard with the tape, but it is still okay. I think it turned out fine.

 And Cole seems to like it!

 

Garage sale to Baby gift!

For a long time now I have wanted to make the subway type canvases with birth information that I have seen on Pinterest. I needed 12 x 12 canvas but did not want to pay a big price. I scored these "lovely" pictures at a garage sale for a dollar each and knew they would be perfect!

I used my Creative Memories scrap book software to design my template. I added the baby information for some friends who recently had babies. I sent the pictures I created off to be printed. (I use Costco printing)   I painted the canvas white, painted Mod Podge on it and set the pictures on the top. After it was stuck the way I wanted, I painted the side of the canvas and a little on the top as a border with a matching color. When dry, I used  Mod Podge on the picture to give it a more matted effect. I love them and I am sure the recipients of the baby gifts will too!

Let me know if you need a baby gift and I will make one for you. Your choice of designs and colors. The possibilities are endless!